A street vendor carting a brown wooden box full of lottery tickets strapped to his bike is a symbol that is synonymous with Thai culture. But this seemingly innocuous activity is a microcosm of the complex and intricate religious, economic and social connections that cloak lotteries in Thailand. The lottery is a booming industry and has become one of the most popular gambling activities in the country, with more than 19 million people playing regularly. But despite the grand aspirations of winning a life-changing jackpot, the odds are very slim.
Aside from the fact that there are only two types of lottery tickets available in the country, each of which has a different first prize payout and taxation, the lottery has long been a source of controversy. In the past, political activists have protested the lottery’s role in corruption and the military dictatorship, while farmers have fought to ensure that some of the proceeds are used for their direct benefit. The controversy continues today with the government’s plan to overhaul the lottery system, which is seen as corrupt and unable to improve the lives of the poor.
In spite of the controversy, many people are still deeply invested in the lottery. On the 1st and 16th of every month, tens of millions of people tune into their televisions to watch the live lottery drawing shows. But even though the odds of winning the grand prize are incredibly low, there is an undeniable sense of excitement and anticipation surrounding the event.
The numbers that are chosen are a combination of both luck and skill. Some believe that the luckiest number is one that was the last digit of the last person to win, while others follow a more complicated formula to choose their numbers. In the latter case, a number is selected from a list of lucky numbers by shaking a cup of bamboo sticks marked with different digits until one falls out. This is a practice known as esiimsi or siam si, and locals often visit temples to try their luck at picking the lucky numbers. Oftentimes, this practice is done at Sawang Arom Temple, where locals claim that the holy water basin will reveal the winning numbers to them.
There are also countless websites devoted to mystical methods for choosing lottery numbers. Many of these websites feature a certain amount of secrecy, but they also offer tips and tricks for improving a player’s chances. For example, some players claim that they see lucky numbers in their dreams or follow a specific prayer before buying their ticket. Others consult online gurus such as Thai Lottery King or My4website, which offer cryptic formulas and tips that they claim will increase a player’s chances of winning.
Other Thais are more willing to take a more secular approach to selecting their lottery numbers. Bom, for instance, is a staunch atheist and does not believe in luck or chance, but he still follows a systematic process to choose his numbers. He has a Line group chat with his friends where they share their different strategies for picking the numbers that will be lucky for them. He explains that for him, it is more about the fun of choosing the numbers than actually believing in them.